Investigators believe arson was the cause of a deadly fire at the Mahdia School dormitory in Guyana on Sunday that killed nineteen children.
“The initial investigation by the fire service identified that the fire was maliciously set,” Dwayne Scotland, deputy chief of the Guyana Fire Service, told a news conference Monday.
But investigators said they have not yet identified any suspects.
According to local reports, nine victims are currently in hospital, in addition to the nineteen children who perished due to the girls’ school dormitory blaze.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali declared three days of national mourning in an address to the nation.
Ali announced that all public buildings should fly the national flag at half-staff in honor of the children who lost their lives.
Guyana’s Department of Public Information (DPI) said 59 girls were staying in the dorms, but only 56 were in the rooms when the fire started since three went home for the weekend.
Thirteen girls and a little boy died at the dorms, while five died at the Mahdia Hospital, DPI reported.
It indicated that investigators would need DNA analysis to identify the 13 female victims who perished at the dormitory.
Amid the mourning over the tragedy residents held a demonstration calling for justice.
AFP reported that around 50 relatives and friends of the victims demonstrated on Monday in Chenapau, a village close to Mahdia that is home to many of the school’s pupils.
Reports indicate that the dormitory had barred windows.
And firefighters said they managed to save some children by breaking holes in the wall of the building.
May the wrath of the Divine fall upon the responsible individual
My God. What a terrible tragedy.
My heart goes out to the families and people of Guyana.
May God’s grace carry you through this terrible time.
I pray for justice for the lives lost and their families.
Mahdia is home to many st. Lucians who migrate this banana republic. I do hope we don’t have linkage here. Above all those innocent souls will haunt the perpetrator.
I did not want to comment on this article – however, I must honestly state that somewhere deep in my soul I felt this was a deliberate act of arson. @ Wowee I agree with your post – In addition, I also sense that this was done to cover up some heinous acts which were happening there at the school dormitory —–
May they RIP – my my my – how could anyone be so evil…
The La Rose festival was a big celebration there. Very very sad…God bless their souls🙏🏽.
I have read in another reliable (overseas) news source that it was started by one of the female boarders because she had her phone confiscated. It did not state whether she had been taken into custody. Shocking and terrible for all those concerned.